Tensions flared at Kharivha Primary School in Ndouvhada, about 40km north of Siloam, on Tuesday after parents withdrew their children in protest against a decision by the Department of Education to relocate learners to another school without their consent.
Learners from Kharivha Primary School were due to be transported to Khomele Primary School, about 6.3km away, a move that has sparked anger among parents and the broader community.
Parents say the decision was taken despite a formal memorandum submitted to the department, in which they clearly opposed the proposed closure of Kharivha Primary School and the relocation of learners.
One concerned parent said the situation has left families frustrated and sidelined.
“We are not happy at all. How can they take our children without our consent? We have already told them that we do not agree with this decision. Our children’s safety and education are at risk,” said a parent who was part of the protest.
In the memorandum, parents warned that closing the school would have serious consequences for learners and the community.
“The school provides vital education and community service, and its closure would displace 108 learners and increase travel distance and safety risks,” the memorandum reads. The document further highlights concerns about overcrowding at the receiving school and the condition of scholar transport.
“Closing the school would increase travel distance to alternative schools, posing safety risks, and force learners into already overcrowded classrooms, which will affect their ability to concentrate and perform academically,” the memorandum states.
Parents also raised concerns about the condition of school transport, describing buses as being in poor condition, which could further endanger learners.
The community is now calling on the Department of Education to urgently reconsider its decision and engage meaningfully with affected parents.